During a conversation with Ultimate Classic Rock earlier this week, Sarzo shared the news that he and the group had reached a mutual decision to make the change.

“Due to my scheduling with other projects that I’m doing, it became a little bit hard for me to keep a really solid working schedule with BOC, so we amicably, we just basically parted ways. So they can actually find somebody who can devote more time to the band and I can actually pursue other bands that I’m doing.”

There has been no comment at this point from the other members of Blue Oyster Cult regarding the pending departure of Sarzo.

Sarzo’s other projects include the Japanese anime-inspired project Animetal U.S.A. and Tred, a new band featuring former Anthrax singer Dan Nelson, Twisted Sister drummer AJ Pero and Adrenaline Mob guitarist Mike Orlando. His time is further occupied by shows with the official Dio tribute band Dio Disciples and his ongoing duties with the Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp.

Going into more detail about Tred, Sarzo said that the musical makeup of the band is something he would call “tribal funk metal.” He says that the group is “very different from anything I’ve ever done before” and “very, very powerful.”

The band is finishing up work on their debut album, which will be released in the coming months via an as-yet unnamed record label. Sarzo says that we’ll be hearing the release details “very, very soon” once Orlando completes his current touring commitments with Adrenaline Mob.

We’ll share the rest of our conversation with Sarzo, which includes plenty of conversation about his glory days with Ozzy Osbourne, very soon.